Absolutely worth it if you fly often and can use the lounges. I typically get the annual fee back from the Dining Credit, Travel Credit, and Amex Offers on things we would have bought anyways.
The insurance is really really good on this card. Unfortunately, my father passed away days before our vacation and AMEX insurance program was nothing but incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. We got the entire $12,000 back with not too much questioning or hassle. The way they dealt with the whole process, made me loyal to American Express
I was wondering if the Canadian version of the Platinum card was worth it... And not at all... The credits offered in the Canadian version is so low and almost no variety whereas the US version has a long list of statement credits, from Walmart to Uber Eats... On top of that the multiplier points in the Canadian card... What a joke... The spending credit needed for the welcome bonus is so high too, the US version is $8,000 in 6 months! Honestly, it is not worth it. Thanks for the comparison tho, very informative! Thank you!
You also get a rebate on NEXUS fee which is a great feature! There is also the concierge service which is a great time saver / from sending flowers for a special occasion to getting tickets to a show. They’ll do all the leg work for you. 14 yr member here
Thanks for the fantastic content! I can tell you are in Winnipeg because of your dining credit. Wouldn't it be nice if Amex gave Winnipeggers more than one dining credit restaurant choice!?! I don't think I'm going to renew my Platinum card for many reasons, one of them being this limitation.....
people should read the cardholders agreement before signing up. If you charge something in any currency other than US dollars the charge will not be converted directly into Canadian Dollars on your bill. It is first converted to US dollars then converted from US dollars to CDN dollars. I assume this is done purely to gouge clients. If someone has another explanation Im all ears. As pretty much any currency in the world can easily be converted to CDN I can think of no other reason other than to run up the bill!
I guess those who can pay $800 for the annual fee can/will most likely spend $10K in 3 months. For most people, this is quite a stretch. RBC Avion VISA Infinite has a $5K in 6 months condition to get additional 25K Avion points...which seems like a reasonable time frame than this one.
Avion points are quite restrictive. You easily spend 10k if you pay utilities, groceries, renos, gas...things that u already spend...put it on the card instead of using cash. Pay the entire bill off each month.
Great video;thanks! If you transfer points and purchase trip with Aeroplan points, how do you get to use the fancy lounges if you don't purchase flight with Platinum Card. Do you have access to all the lounges just by holding the Platinum card or do you need to purchase flight in order to have access to lounges.
cruise benefits won’t come with it unlike the American counterpart. On the us website, you can access to the Lufthansa business lounge, but on the Canadian website you can’t but we were able to get in twice. Another benefit people don’t know is Hilton hotel gold, you can get breakfast or breakfast credit depending on which one. Marriott gold became a garbage since 5 years ago or so. One thing to note that the priority pass using amex isn’t the same as priority pass using other cards and you cannot access to restaurants. In Canada, there ain’t much but in Japan Aus, USA or UK, there are some interesting restaurants.
If you have to worry about the annual fee and perks then this card is not for you. What dont you understand? BTW, it's a CHARGE CARD, not a credit card ...
Thank you for someone to finally come out with a Canadian perspective
Great review Graeme, especially the rundown on lounge access.
Thanks Chris!
Absolutely worth it if you fly often and can use the lounges. I typically get the annual fee back from the Dining Credit, Travel Credit, and Amex Offers on things we would have bought anyways.
The insurance is really really good on this card. Unfortunately, my father passed away days before our vacation and AMEX insurance program was nothing but incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. We got the entire $12,000 back with not too much questioning or hassle.
The way they dealt with the whole process, made me loyal to American Express
Thank you so much for this video! It was so helpful
Great breakdown on the platinum! I loved the cobalt review as well. Would love to see a break down on the gold!
Thanks for all the info! Super useful vid 👍
Thanks Aly! Love your videos - longtime follower of yours (on my personal youtube).
I was wondering if the Canadian version of the Platinum card was worth it... And not at all... The credits offered in the Canadian version is so low and almost no variety whereas the US version has a long list of statement credits, from Walmart to Uber Eats... On top of that the multiplier points in the Canadian card... What a joke... The spending credit needed for the welcome bonus is so high too, the US version is $8,000 in 6 months! Honestly, it is not worth it. Thanks for the comparison tho, very informative! Thank you!
Amex US has always been their best version... Th Canadian Amex gold is a joke compared to the US one
You also get a rebate on NEXUS fee which is a great feature!
There is also the concierge service which is a great time saver / from sending flowers for a special occasion to getting tickets to a show. They’ll do all the leg work for you. 14 yr member here
So good and straight forward!
This was a very informative review 👏
Thanks for the fantastic content! I can tell you are in Winnipeg because of your dining credit. Wouldn't it be nice if Amex gave Winnipeggers more than one dining credit restaurant choice!?! I don't think I'm going to renew my Platinum card for many reasons, one of them being this limitation.....
people should read the cardholders agreement before signing up. If you charge something in any currency other than US dollars the charge will not be converted directly into Canadian Dollars on your bill. It is first converted to US dollars then converted from US dollars to CDN dollars. I assume this is done purely to gouge clients. If someone has another explanation Im all ears. As pretty much any currency in the world can easily be converted to CDN I can think of no other reason other than to run up the bill!
Great video. Thanks.
Thanks Kate, appreciate it!
I guess those who can pay $800 for the annual fee can/will most likely spend $10K in 3 months. For most people, this is quite a stretch. RBC Avion VISA Infinite has a $5K in 6 months condition to get additional 25K Avion points...which seems like a reasonable time frame than this one.
Avion points are quite restrictive. You easily spend 10k if you pay utilities, groceries, renos, gas...things that u already spend...put it on the card instead of using cash. Pay the entire bill off each month.
Great video, I was just wondering if there’s any benefits to this card such as priority security? Specifically at YYZ
Yep, we get a priority security line at YYZ. Great for traveling in peak hours where the line is almost out the door
Great video;thanks! If you transfer points and purchase trip with Aeroplan points, how do you get to use the fancy lounges if you don't purchase flight with Platinum Card. Do you have access to all the lounges just by holding the Platinum card or do you need to purchase flight in order to have access to lounges.
You get access by owning the card. Its part of the high annual fee.
cruise benefits won’t come with it unlike the American counterpart.
On the us website, you can access to the Lufthansa business lounge, but on the Canadian website you can’t but we were able to get in twice. Another benefit people don’t know is Hilton hotel gold, you can get breakfast or breakfast credit depending on which one. Marriott gold became a garbage since 5 years ago or so.
One thing to note that the priority pass using amex isn’t the same as priority pass using other cards and you cannot access to restaurants. In Canada, there ain’t much but in Japan Aus, USA or UK, there are some interesting restaurants.
Are you able to get any retention offer for second year for the amex Canadian card?
Can you also compare or make a video for business Amex platinum card?
Thank you
If you have to worry about the annual fee and perks then this card is not for you. What dont you understand?
BTW, it's a CHARGE CARD, not a credit card ...
Is there a better card in Canada other than the Amex Platinum?
Amex black (aka centurion) but you need 250k-500k + annual spending on Amex to be CONSIDERED for this super premium card…
Ty!
I just ordered platinum card . when am I supposed to pay annual fee? Right now or after a year?
the annual fee should be charged on your card within the first or second statement.
Not worth the increased annual fee.
Aspire lounges are really bad and OVERCROWEDED!!!